The College and Career Ready Podcast | empowering students for the careers of tomorrow
Join your host Sonia Cacique on a transformative journey preparing high school and college students for real world careers, equipping them with practical skills, professional experiences, and career guidance.
As a dedicated career guidance counselor, career coach, and education leader, Sonia has spent her entire career empowering the next generation for the future workforce. With her expertise, she helps students develop self-awareness, motivation, and career guidance, building the essential skills needed for success in both their educational and future professional journeys.
Coach Sonia is ready to shift the focus from GPA, class rank, and grades to career connections, self-identity, character development, and real-world skills. She aims to challenge the traditional narratives and provide students with a comprehensive approach to education and career readiness. Changing lives for our next gens, one student at a time.
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The College and Career Ready Podcast | empowering students for the careers of tomorrow
89. How Students Can Overcome Fear While Embracing New Beginnings in School and Life
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"Stay well, be present, and enjoy the journey"
Summer is wrapping up and pretty soon students like yourself will be starting a new school year. Which typically also means new professors, new teachers, or even a new school or college campus. This can lead to all sorts of feelings, although exciting. It can also be nerve wracking. Today, we will discuss all the feelings that can occur when trying or doing something new. The effects of having these feelings. And more importantly, we will talk about how to keep going and not let fear hold you back. Welcome sweet friend. I hope wherever you're listening to us from you are doing well. So today I will be talking to you about the fear of doing something new. This topic came to mind when I did something new for the very first time, a few weeks ago. I hosted my first in-person student event. And if you are already a member of art college and career connections newsletter, then you probably already know which event I'm talking about, because I made sure to give you a rundown after the event and. Highlight the awesome experience that I had. I am. Sure. You're thinking, how is this related to the feelings I am having towards the start of a new school year? Well, let me tell you that the feelings are all relatively the same when it comes to starting or doing something new, such as starting a new school year or attending a new college campus for the very first time. The emotions we feel are all relatively the same, whether it's nervousness. Or even the thought of not taking that very next step, that you were so excited about. So stay tuned and make sure you stay till the end, because I will be sharing with you about a full ride scholarship for students pursuing a career in stem. So stick around until the end. But first, a quick break.
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Microphone (ATR2100x-USB Microphone):Welcome back friend. So, let me give you some context. A few months ago, I had an idea of hosting my first in-person event. I'm a big believer of building community, creating opportunities for students to network. And to interact with each other, along with other professionals in various fields. So when I had this idea, I let it sit for awhile. Actually, I let it sit for a little too long because then the feeling kind of disappeared. And I thought, you know what? I'm not going to host this event. And in reality, it was my own fear. My own fear of doing something you maybe even some imposter syndrome sprinkled throughout that made me feel I wasn't ready for it. And then I thought, you know what? Let me see if I can actually make this happen. And so what I decided to do is I decided to call my friend William. Who is a local podcaster here in Parallon, Texas, and who had a ton of experience hosting live events in our community. And I thought, you know what, let me give him a call and just share this thought and idea with him. So I called him up and asked him if he wanted to meet up for a coffee date. So we met up for coffee and I was planning to pitch the idea to him. And it didn't take much long after I was sharing the idea with them when he looks at me and said, all right, What's the date. And so I quickly fumbled through my calendar. Trying to see what would be the ideal date for this event. And within the matter of minutes. And actually picked the date. Monday, June 17th. And just like that, I said the date. And I continue to make plans for my first in-person event. And let me tell you. The excitement was high, but it quickly started diminishing and the fear and Ixinity and worriness started to kick in. Not to mention cold feet and even the thought of like, Hmm. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. Plus I had so many things I had to do to make this happen. and I wanted to also find a sponsor for my events to be able to offer all students present. A free coffee, tea, Or smoothie on us. So it is through this experience that I wanted to share with you today. My top tips on how to face any new experience and confront the fear and anxiety that make again. When doing something new. First and foremost, I would recommend you find yourself an accountability partner, someone who gets it. Whether it's another student attending the same college, someone who is attending. One or more of the same classes that you're going to be attending. to. Or someone who's gone through that journey already, whether it's the same college or a similar campus. It's so important to have an accountability partner, because it's someone who you'll be able to lean on and count on throughout the process. You have no idea the value that an accountability partner can have on you. And again, it's a great support system. So first and foremost, find that accountability partner, and it can also even be a roommate or someone who is in close proximity to you. The second thing I would recommend is to write down all the things that need to happen prior to that first day or that first event. Organize yourself and make a list of things that need to happen. And in what order. This is where your accountability partner will be essential because they will be someone who you can share that list with and to see if they have a different perspective or insightful feedback to provide you with. In my case, I wanted someone who would understand this process of holding an in-person event and provide insightful feedback, which in this case was my friend. William my accountability partner for this event. Third. And lastly, I would recommend you. As I had to remind myself multiple times. That this feeling is normal and not let these feelings hold you back. Let me repeat that one more time this is the third N equally as important as the other two is to remind yourself. Maybe even write it down somewhere. It's only ever reminded me that these feelings are normal and do not let these feelings hold me back because fear and anxiety can feel the exact same way as excitement. So, let me give you a tip when you are feeling fear or anxious, say to yourself, wow. I'm excited about this new adventure or I'm excited on the start of a new school year or starting at this new college. Say to yourself that this feeling is excitement rather than fear anxiety, because that feeling again can be quite similar. You get those knots in your stomach, you feel like a lot of anxiousness throughout your body. So let's reframe the situation and make you look forward to that event. Share the experience with others. That way you can be excited to keep on going. And of course, that accountability partner will be essential in this process as well. Let me tell you. I am so glad I hosted this event because not all need. what's the event successful. but I ended up having two sponsors for the event and I was even worried about finding one, which by the way, a big shout out to my two sponsors for my first in-person event. Nathan from Astro pond and Parallon, Texas, and to Sam from Navarro insurance here in Houston, Texas, a big shout out to both of them. Because thanks to them. We were able to offer not only a free drink for students. But to everyone in attendance. And with a great reviews and comments that I received from those students present and the community members present, I realized what an opportunity we would have lost. If I wouldn't have faced my fear, not only with the students lose an opportunity. But those presents such as community. leaders and myself, of course. That I needed to face this fear and not let it hold me back. So my friend, don't let fear hold you back. And keep ongoing. And don't forget the value of an accountability partner. Someone who can walk right beside you. So you don't have to do this alone. All right. My sweet friend. I hope he can sit back today and look towards the future in your new school or college endeavor this upcoming school year. Find yourself that accountability partner and face the unknown with confidence. And that's promise I'm going to share with you. A scholarship announcement. The scholarship opportunity for stem students. Beginning in fall 2024. If you're listening in real time. Thanks to the support of a generous donor. then you Houston Christian university HCU freshmen engineering students with a 3.5 on a 4.0 skill unweighted GPA or better qualify for the Grace Hopper scholarship that pays up to full tuition at Houston Christian university. This award is for qualified students who are majoring in various degree programs and transfer students are also eligible for this full tuition scholarship. For more information, go to our show notes and get all the details. All right, my sweet friend. I hope you found this episode valuable and as always stay well, be present and enjoy the journey. I'll talk to you next week.
